What is the state of the Houston quarterback situation? Why has Kyle Postma earned the starting nod recently?

Duarte: Houston began the season with Kyle Allen, formerly the nation's top high school quarterback who was the starter for two seasons at Texas A&M. Allen led the Cougars to wins over Arizona and Rice before being benched in the fourth quarter in a loss to Texas Tech. The reason? Six turnovers (four interceptions) in two games. Backup Kyle Postma led two fourth-quarter touchdown drives, and coach Major Applewhite said he had earned a start last week against Temple, where he threw for 226 yards and a touchdown and ran for a game-high 81 yards as the Cougars won their American Athletic Conference opener. Applewhite plans to continue to evaluate the position, but for now Postma is the guy. Unlike Allen, the fifth-year senior gives the Cougars a running threat, a welcome sight for a team that can't seem to run the ball.

How is Houston approaching the in-state rivalry, especially after SMU's win last season?

Duarte: Although it's certainly in the back of their minds, not much has been said publicly or been made of the Interstate 45 matchup. Maybe that's because Applewhite and his predecessor Tom Herman, now the coach at Texas, are two opposite personalities. While Herman was an instigator (anybody remember the jerseys taped to the floor or 'private school in search of seven wins' comment?), Applewhite is reserved and keeps things close to the vest. And I'm not sure if this will ever be considered a rivalry - at least by Houston fans. Am online poll conducted this week by the Houston Chronicle showed 56 percent of Cougar fans do not think the team has a current rival.

Everyone knows Ed Oliver, but who are the other guys on the Houston defense that could have an impact on Saturday?

- Safety Garrett Davis has three interceptions, including two against Temple.

- The Cougars like to bring nickel corner Khalil Williams off the edge as a blitzer and the results have been good so far with 6.5 tackles for loss.

- Isaiah Johnson made the move from wide receiver to cornerback in the spring and has been a pleasant surprise. He's aggressive and, at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, gives the Cougars a physical presence. UH is inexperienced at the corners (Alexander Myres is a first-year starter on the other side), and teams have looked to exploit that early in the season.

- With Oliver expected to be a game-time decision the Cougars worked sophomore Aymiel Fleming all week with the first-team unit. This would be his first career start.